Is The Amber Aperitif In The French Dispatch Real?
Cinema has brought audiences into whole new worlds thanks to strong world-building, and nothing makes a location feel real like food or drinks. Signature liquors and cocktails make certain locales feel that much more real, and filmmakers have established key scenes thanks to these fictitious drinks. Vesper in "Casino Royale," milk of the poppy in "Game of Thrones," and Miruvor in "Lord of the Rings" — all have the power to bring their imaginary worlds to life, per Screen Rant. And Wes Anderson's latest film, "The French Dispatch," joins the ranks of other great cinematic titles that bring the audience into the action through some signature adult beverages.
According to Bon Appétit, the drinks encountered through the fictitious town of Ennui-sur-Blasé trace through the movie's action and act like literary symbols while referencing stereotypical French dining habits. While the film features wines, absinthe, affogatos, and much more, some moviegoers might have particularly resonated with the brightly-colored ambre aperitif, a liqueur that subtly pops up throughout the film. This amber-colored aperitif can catch anyone's eye, but audiences are wondering if they can actually try this drink in real life.
The origins of Anderson's amber aperitif
Bon Appétit reports that this orange-hued aperitif and its accompanying advertisements through the film act as a visual easter egg, but for all purposes, don't expect to find this particular drink for sale anywhere. By definition, aperitifs should have very little sugar and stimulate the appetite (via VinePair). Dry white wine, gin, and vermouth all fall into this category, and Anderson appears to have invented this particular beverage specifically for the film. Even if you can't get your hands on some authentic ambre aperitif, you can still show your love for the drinks found in "The French Dispatch."
According to Time Out, a Los Angeles pop-up called Le Sans Blague runs to the middle of November and features a variety of Anderson-inspired coffee-based drinks in bright yellow mugs that perfectly match the director's aesthetic. This pop-up might serve up the closest drinks you can get to those seen in Anderson's cinematic universe. If you can't get over the beauty of an amber aperitif, you might just have to keep waiting until another company decides to turn this liqueur into a reality.